Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Program (PMHNP) is for those who want to make a difference. Psychiatric mental health can be a uniquely challenging area to work within. It demands not only technical know-how, but a strong commitment to team work and advocacy, and plenty of compassion and flexibility as well. It is also, however, a deeply rewarding area in which to work, giving back to you as much as you give it.

The PMHNP offers a dynamic curriculum to those registered nurses interested in pursuing positions in this specialty area, or to those already active in it. Prior approval from a specialy manager is required before registering for a program.

The part-time, online distance option has been designed to allow learners to work full-time while studying at a reasonable pace.

Patient-Centred Care - the ability to provide compassionate, coordinated, and competent care whilerespecting the patient as a full partner.

Team Work and Collaboration – the ability to function as a member of a collaborative team to promote integrated, continuous, and reliable care.

Evidence Informed Practice – the ability to use current evidence coupled with clinical expertise and consideration of patient’s preferences, experience, and values to make best practice decisions.

Quality Improvement – the ability to integrate improvement strategies into practice to improve the quality and safety of health care systems.

Safety – the ability to integrate strategies to reduce the risk of harm to patients and providers by beingaccountable for individual performance and promoting a culture of safety within the health care system.

Informatics - the ability to use information and communication technologies to communicate, manageknowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making to enhance patient, provider, and system outcomes.

Knowledge is assessed through examinations, and skills are assessed through an Objective Structure Clinical Exam (OSCE) prior to preceptor-led clinical experiences. At the completion of this program, you will be able to provide safe, effective, compassionate care to clients and their families, at the level of advanced beginner.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you are a registered nurse with existing knowledge, skills, and/or experience fundamental to psychiatric mental health nursing, you may qualify to receive credit towards program requirements. RPL must be requested before the start of the program.

Part-time Study:

September 8, 2017 - September 28, 2018; Program in Session.

Completed over 12 months starting in September, with December and summer breaks.

Faculty-supported lessons requiring on average 15 hours of independent study per week (depending on learning style and previous experience in the specialty area and with distance education).

Four on-site skill lab days

Two clinical practicum period totaling 160 hours of preceptored clinical.

Every effort is made to provide required clinical learning experiences at the site closest to the learner’s home; however, traveling might be required.

Registered Nurses in any of RNPDC programs which have clinical components require active BLS(c) for HCP. The course can be readily obtained from St. John Ambulance or Heart and Stroke of Nova Scotia. RNPDC requires a copy of your active card on file.

If your BLS (c) is going to expire during the program, faculty recommends you recertify PRIOR to entering the program.